Improvement in processes of engraving on glass



U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD ONEIL, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF ANDJOSEPH T. HOLLOWAY.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES QF ENGRAVING ON GLASS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 172,] 59, dated January11, 1876; application filed September 29, 1875.

.-tion My invention relates to a process of engraving on glass foruseful and ornamental purposes. It consists in a composition composed ofthe ingredients hereinafter mentioned, and

the employment of the same, in combination with engraving-tools ofdilferent shapes, to produce a cutting action of the tools upon thesurface of the glass, as will more fully appear in the followingdescription.

The tools I use in my process or art of engraving and ornamenting uponglass are of hardened steel, somewhat like those used to engrave uponmetal, and of different shapes and sizes at the cutting-point, somebeing broad and flat like a cold-chisel, and others tapering andpointed, according to the width or fineness of the lines to be produced.These tools I use by holding them in a perpendicular manner, at rightangles, or nearly so, to the surface of the glass, and tapping orstrikin g them lightly with asmall mallet or bar of wood. They arecaused to bite 'or act upon the surface of the glass by dipping theirpoints or cuttingedges into, or otherwise keeping them constantlymoistened with, the fluid composition composed ofthe followingingredients, taken in about these proportions: Vegetable oil, (olive,)one-half pint; coal-oil, (kerosene,) one-half pint; fluoric acid, tendrops. This composition alone will not affect the surface of the glasswhen poured upon it; but when used in connection with theengraving'tools it produces an abrasion of the surface wherever thecutting-points ofthe tools are directed. Its action is to produce-aroughness of the lines or surface acted upon by the tools, and form amultitude of facets or points upon the glass, from which the light isreflected in a brilliant manner.

In applying my process to the ornamenting of glass I first mark or tracethe design upon the surface, or put in upon paper and place the same atthe back of the glass, and then cut the lines by using a tool of theproper shape of cuttingpoint, which I hold and use in the manner abovedescribed, striking or tapping it with a small mallet, and keeping itspoint constantly wet with the composition before mentioned.

'In working between lines where the surface is to be cut and sunk belowthe surface, I employ a broader tool, with a flat end like a chisel, toact upon a larger portion of surface; butin-all cases they must be keptmoistened with the liquid composition, in order to produce a change inthe surface of the glass.

I am aware that the surface of glass has been engraved upon or etched bythe employment of the fumes or vapor of fluoric acid; but the process isdisagreeable and imperfect, no

sharp and definite lines can be produced, and

the surface acted upon is dull and uneven, and incapable of reflectingand acting upon the light.

My process is cleaner and more certain in its effects, lines of anyrequired degree of lineness and sharpness of outline can be out upon theglass, and the work is much superior in artistic excellence to any ofthe kind heretofore produced.

The back of the glass ornamented can be coated with amalgam, if desired,resulting in the reflection of the engraving on the surface, addinggreatly to its beauty; but I do not claim such as part of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim therein as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The composition for engraving upon glass, composed of olive-oil,coal-oil, and fluoric acid, in about the proportions stated,substantially as described.

2. The process of ornamenting or engraving on glass herein described,consisting of the employment, with tools and points, of the fluidcomposition compounded as hereinbefore set forth and claimed, in themanner and for the purpose described.

EDWARD ONEIL. Witnesses:

PHILIP MAHLER, C. W. M. SMITH.

